The next installment in the beloved BioWare RPG seriesMass Effectis one of the most anticipated games that’s been announced, despite surely being years away from its launch. Experiencing a new chapter in the space epic is something that fans have been keen to do ever sinceMass Effect: Andromedafailed to meet its lofty expectations. Returning toMass Effectfor a fourth entry makes a lot of sense, but it has to strike the balance between feeling new and innovative while also leaning into series norms that ensure it can be consistent with what preceded it.
There are elements that are already teased like Liara, Illium, and the Geth, but some inclusions may be a little more obscure. The first game does a lot right, but perhaps the one thing that is universally criticized is a vehicle that players use to traverse new worlds. The Legendary Edition of the trilogy improved thecontrols of the Makosignificantly, meaning its uneven handling and frustrating speed is firmly in the rearview. However, asMass Effect 4creeps ever-closer, there are some pros and cons to consider when hypothesizing the reemergence of the Mako.
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More Mako Means More Exploration
Though its use in the firstMass Effectwas often criticized for its wonky controls and cumbersome exploration, a lot has changed since 2007 when the Mako debuted. In that game, exploring remote planets felt uninteresting, mostly because it was too ambitious for the time. It was a near-impossible feat to make each mission in the Mako different from the last. Its appearance on Feros aside, the Mako didn’t have a chance to fully flex its muscles, but areappearance inMass Effect 4could be the redemption story it so desperately needs.
Fixing the controls and making the terrain the Mako can cover inMass Effect 4feel more substantial with higher presentational value would be key to giving the Mako a good name. It’s another way to allow the player to explore the interesting intricacies of space, something thatMass Effect 2’s probesfailed to capture, despite being less cumbersome to navigate. The Mako would be a bold addition to the upcomingMass Effecttitle, but it was a product of poor execution and limited resources at the time. It was not necessarily a bad idea, but rather a good idea that BioWare simply had too early.
More Exploration in Mass Effect 4 Means More Can Go Wrong
However, BioWare needs to rebuild its reputation after the lackluster release and life of2019’sAnthem. If BioWare takes any risks withMass Effect 4, they have to be carefully calculated, and the Mako may be too polarizing to lean into with this game. It’s a good way to add more exploration, but if it feels half-baked like it did in 2007, then criticisms will surely be levied at the company for not capturing its full potential.
Expanding the horizons ofMass Effect 4sounds exciting, but there’s no escaping the huge development time that it will take.Mass Effect 4was announced in late 2020, and asDragon Age: Dreadwolfis BioWare’s upcoming project but lacks a release date, it’s likely that the next chapter inMass Effectwill take a while to come out afterDreadwolf. The Mako requires a lot of space to explore, and that will mean even more development time, which in turn keeps fans waiting even longer. There’s a wider argument about the recent slate of very early game announcements likeThe Elder Scrolls 6andHaunted Chocolatier, butMass Effect 4has to be a hit for BioWare, and taking even longer on such a risk could prove costly.
Mass Effect 4is in development.
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